ST:A help me pick my next car

So my Jeep got totaled out in a car accident and I need to replace it. Insurance gave me 3600 for it so I'm looking to spend about 4k tops. I'm kinda picky about cars though so here's the list of requirements:

must be able to get out of its own way(200+ hp)
must not look like ***
I'm 6 feet tall so it needs to be pretty roomy. there are a lot of smaller cars that I simply don't fit in without my knee hitting the dashboard or steering wheel when on the brake
must be old enough that I can work on it myself
must get around or over 25 mpg, I drive 50 miles a day to and from work and even though the Jeep was an I6 with 3.55s it still got to be expensive to feed at CA gas prices
used but not abused. I'm looking for a DD, not a project.
something I won't be tempted to mod

carnage pics if you're curious(I was rear ended by somebody going 50-55 while I was at a dead stop. I walked away but got a strained back and a concussion out of the deal):

__________________
best porn thread in ST history by ScorpionShock - I was there 6/7 or 6/8 depending on your timezone

Kinda want to stay away from forced induction on cars pushing or over 100k miles. turbos are expensive to replace and things can get bad fast if the AFR isn't right

Quote:

Originally Posted by worrgames_slaya

Your criteria and price don't work well together.

I know. Half the **** I look at on CL is instantly DQ'd due to mileage, a salvage title or a pre-existing condition forcing the sale.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrobertsPB

crv

lol, no

Quote:

Originally Posted by rexisme

Right, beggers can't be choosers....

It took me a couple weeks to decide on a car last time I was looking for a DD. I have nothing but time since I have my SHO to get me around in the meantime.

Quote:

Originally Posted by max's GDT

1995 Nissan Maxima

not really looking for an Asian Import. they have a price premium over American cars

Quote:

Originally Posted by toolbandfan

Holy **** guys, this dude is a whole 6' tall.

Not sure how someone ever hits someone at a stop while going 50+ mph besides passing out or something.

Your requirements are sort of ridiculous. Any mid-late 90's midsize car should be fine. It might not be over 200hp but it's what I can do.

I need room to move is all I'm saying. I can't drive a lot of subcompact and compact cars although they have gotten better about making them fit taller people. Getting behind the wheel of my sister's focus wasn't a problem.

From the accident report his statement was along the lines of, "I was going about 50-55 mph in an unknown lane and did not see the vehicle until impact."

I'm just picky with cars. I might have to raise the limit to get something better but I really don't want to finance a car and have something else I'd want to drag with me when I move in a year and a half or so.

__________________
best porn thread in ST history by ScorpionShock - I was there 6/7 or 6/8 depending on your timezone

If you have "nothing but time" why don't you save a little more and spend a bit more on something that actually fits your criteria?

None of what you're saying makes a whole lot of sense. Also lol @ japanese cars having a "price premium".

because anything I'd really want would likely end up getting aftermarket parts thrown on it. I just want a clean DD that will get me from A to B without being the slowest car on the road and not look like rolling puke.

Would you pay close to 10gs for an is300 with over 200k miles? or a honda civic with 174k that is priced at 6k?

I also might be taking a six month vacation outside the country at the end of the summer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rampager2000

I still say Miata man. Go sit in one. They're not that cramped. And if you're only driving it temporarily, it'll sell for what you bought it for.

hmmmmm, aside from the roller skate size and my paranoia about being stopped in traffic it's something to think about.

__________________
best porn thread in ST history by ScorpionShock - I was there 6/7 or 6/8 depending on your timezone

you ever been in a high speed rear end collision? Ever have to sit in the same spot you got hit at while waiting for the light to change and nervously watch for people being stupid in your rear view? I usually end up sitting at that light five days a week unless I catch it at a green arrow. That's what I mean about paranoid to sit stopped in traffic, especially because last week I watched somebody who meant to go straight get in the turn lane behind me but catch their mistake in enough time to correct the error. CA drivers suck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrobertsPB

Learn how to car shop

learn how to know when somebody is making a point. The name Honda, Nissan, and Toyota makes a car with more miles cost more than it's competing model by GM and Ford that has fewer miles.

__________________
best porn thread in ST history by ScorpionShock - I was there 6/7 or 6/8 depending on your timezone